MASON, Ohio – #24 (Collegiate Baseball) Trevecca Nazarene University Trojan baseball (32-10) defeated #5 Tiffin University Dragons (29-16), 7-6, in the 2021 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship at Prasco Park.

The Trojans are the Great Midwest champions for the fourth time. Trevecca won the first three G-MAC titles as a charter member of the conference.  

CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES

In picking up the save, Jay Benard is now tied with Steven Brown as the all-time leader in career saves with 15. Benard broke his own NCAA era record for saves in a season with his eighth today and is one short of tying Brown who saves nine in a season as the all-time Trevecca record for saves in a season.

Trevecca finished the championship 4-0. It is the third time the Trojans have run the table at the conference championships. Trevecca made the championship game the first three seasons after the Great Midwest formed, but lost in the 2016 championship.

Tiffin was the defending champion, having won the 2019 championship. The 2020 championship was cancelled.

WHAT IS NEXT

Trevecca heads to the NCAA regional round for the first time in baseball. The NCAA Division II baseball selection show is set for Sunday, May 23 on ncaa.org. We will share more details on location and tickets once they are confirmed.   

HOW IT HAPPENED

After neither team scored in the first, Tiffin plated a run in the top of the second and third for a 2-0 lead.

Trevecca scored a run in the third to pull within a run of the Dragons. David Milam drew a leadoff walk and scored on a Trey Vanderpool sac fly after a hit-by-pitch to Andru Becker and a walk to Bradom Odom loaded the bases.

Trevecca jumped ahead with a two-run homerun from Braden Odom in the fifth for a 3-2 lead. Andru Becker walked ahead of the home run and scored as well.

The Dragon's powerful offense wasn't finished, they pushed ahead 7-3 with a four-run sixth. With the help of two homeruns.

The Trojans regrouped and an inning later plated four of their own with the help of a three-run homerun from Trey Vanderpool. David Milam reached again to leadoff the inning with a single to right. Andru Becker singled before Braden Odom doubled to score Milam. Trey Vanderpool delivered the game-winning blow next with his three-run homer.

Jay Benard came on for his history-making save with two innings of scoreless work against the high-powered Dragon offense.

ON THE MOUND/IN THE BOX

Trevecca starter Luis Rodriquez did not figure in the decision, but pitched 5.1 innings allowing three runs on five hits and four walks and struck out two. The win goes to Lee Cunningham (3-0) who pitched the seventh inning in shutout fashion, holding the Dragon bats at bay for the offensive explosion by the in the bottom of the seventh. Jay Benard (8) picked up the save with two innings of shutout pitching. Benard allowed just one hit and struckout three.  

Braden Odom went 3-3 with two runs scored, three RBI, a walk, a double, and two-run homerun.

Trey Vanderpool drove in four runs going 1-3 with a run scored and a sac fly. David Milam added to his defensive work with a 2-3 effort that included a walk, a double, and two runs scored.

SERIES HISTORY

Trevecca leads the series 4-2 and are 4-1 against the Dragons this season after taking the regular season series 3-1 in Nashville.  

CHAMPIONSHIP ESSENTIALS

Prasco Park | No Walkup Ticketing Register for Tickets

Prasco Park Amenities | Map/Directions

Mason, Ohio | Mason Weather |

The Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Championships took place May 12-15 in Mason, Ohio at Prasco Park and Legacy Field.

SEASON ESSENTIALS 

G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats | G-MAC Records | 2021 G-MAC Championships

2021 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY - MAY 12

*All times listed as Central Time

GM 1 - #6 Hillsdale (20-21) def #3 Ohio Dominican (27-10) – 7-2

GM 2 - #2 Walsh (27-12) def #7 Cedarville (17-22) – 3-1

GM 3 - #4 Kentucky Wesleyan (23-14) def #5 Tiffin (25-15) – 3-1

GM 4 - #1 Trevecca(29-10) def #8 Malone (20-21) – 4-1

THURSDAY - MAY 13

*All times listed as Central Time

GM 5 - #3 Ohio Dominican (28-10) def #7 Cedarville (17-23) - 7-6 (CU elimimated)

GM 6 - #5 Tiffin (26-15) vs #8 Malone (20-22) – 7-1 (MU elimimated)

GM 7 - #6 Hillsdale (21-21) def #2 Walsh (27-13) – 9-7   

GM 8 - #1 Trevecca (30-10) def #4 Kentucky Wesleyan (23-15) – 6-5

GM 9 - #4 Kentucky Wesleyan (24-15) def #3 Ohio Dominican (27-11) – 11-4 (ODU elimimated)  

GM 10 - #5 Tiffin (27-15) def #2 Walsh (27-14) – 9-6 (WU elimimated)  

FRIDAY - MAY 14

*All times listed as Central Time

GM 11 - #1 Trevecca (31-10) def #6 Hillsdale (21-22) – 9-1

GM 12 - #5 Tiffin (28-15) def #4 Kentucky Wesleyan (24-16) – 6-3 (KWC elimimated)

GM 13 - #5 Tiffin (29-15) def #6 Hillsdale (21-23) – 7-3 (HC elimimated)

SATURDAY - MAY 15

*All times listed as Central Time

GM 14 – Trevecca (32-10) def #5 Tiffin University - 7-6 - Championship Game

TREVECCA GREAT MIDWEST HISTORY

Regular Season Championships (6), Tournament Championships (3)

Great Midwest Era: 253-162 Overall / 139-45 Conference / 17-9 G-MAC Tourney

2021 - Champions - Regular Season - Tournament

32-10 / 23-5 

2020 – No Tournament (Covid-19)

6-11 - No Awards

2019 - Third seed (Tiffin - Champion)

28-22 / 20-10

1-2 (W Walsh, L Tiffin, L Lake Erie)

2018 - Second South Division (Hillsdale Champion)

26-23 / 15-9

1-2 (L Hillsdale, W ODU, L KWC)

2017 - Champions - Regular Season (Kentucky Wesleyan Champion)

22-23 / 12-4 

2-2 (W Cedarville, W ABU, L KWC, L Malone)

2016 – Champions – Regular Season (Alderson Broaddus Champion)

33-21 / 19-5 - Ryan Schmalz COY

3-2 (W D&E, W Cedarville, L ABU, W KWC, L ABU)

2015 – Champions – Regular Season & Tournament (First year at Prasco)

36-18 / 21-3 – Hunter Newman POY / Michael Purcell Pitcher of the Year

4-0 (W Salem, W KWC, W OVU, W OVU)

2014 – Champions - Regular Season & Tournament

43-14 / 20-4 – Nick Howell POY

3-0 (W Cedarville, W Alderson Broaddus, W Cedarville)

2013 - Champions - Regular Season & Tournament

31-20 / 9-5 - Hunter Newman FOY / Ryan Schmalz COY

3-1 (L Cedarville, W Urbana, W Cedarville, W Cedarville)

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com

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